What a loss! It was always great running into John at tournaments and hearing how much fun he was having helping his players get better. He alway took delight in seeing how someone was improving from where they started the season. I wonder if the girls who played for him know how great a setter and hitter John was (back in the day). My best experience playing with John was with a team at the 1985 Men's Over-35 USVBA Championships in New York. John absolutely refused to lose! Needing to win our last match to make the playoffs and down 14-2 in the third game to a Northern California team, we fought back before a big crowd on the championship court (they thought Tom Selleck was playing the next match for Outrigger!). John kept setting every dig perfectly and pounding every set he got. One point at a time we fought back, getting it to 8-14, then 10-14, facing game point after game point (NO RALLY SCORING BACK THEN!). Finally, using John's serve, we tied it up and then pushed two points across to win 16-14! It's been 23 years, but I'll never forget John's "never give up" efforts in that game. My condolences to his family and friends - he was a very special person and will be greatly missed!